I have a confession. I love Diet Coke. It is a delicious lunchtime refreshment. But it is also the bane of my existence. Everywhere you look, a new study is being published about how bad soda is for you. It has been linked to obesity, elevated blood pressure, kidney disease and certain types of cancer. And just because I favor diet sodas doesn’t mean I’m safe from the risks. Diet soda contains aspartame, and according to WebMD, one liter of an aspartame-sweetened beverage can produce about 56 milligrams of methanol. Ew. Just … ew.

So, I’ve been trying to cut back, limiting myself to one a week. And it’s for the best really, because as Diet Coke and I have spent some time apart, I’ve been able to get acquainted with a few delicious soda alternatives. None of my picks are soda alternatives in that they’re carbonated, but in that they are delicious and much better for me.

This drink has been helping me start nearly every morning off right. I like to drink it iced, as hot tea always seems to scald my tongue. This specific green tea is blended with lemongrass and spearmint. And unlike soda, it is antioxidant-rich and has the potential to fight cancer and heart disease, not cause it. Score!

A somewhat recent study suggests that an acid contained in pomegranate seed oil may actually help decrease belly fat. While I’m not sure if I’ve noticed any difference in that area of my body since I started drinking it, I figure it couldn’t hurt! I never drink too much of this super-rich drink in one sitting—a tumbler-size glass is usually enough for me—because unlike other pomegranate juices I’ve tried, this is pure pomegranate juice. It is made without preservatives and cheap filler juices.

This vanilla-flavored beverage has just as much calcium as regular milk, but it tastes like a sinfully delicious milkshake. Although I am not seeking a dairy-free alternative, or anything, I can’t help but enjoy what is essentially dessert in a glass. Plus, it contains a fair amount of essential fatty acids, proteins, fiber and antioxidants.

What about you? Are you trying to quit the soda habit? What have you replaced it with? Give me some ideas in the comments section below!

How about mixing 1/2 pomegrante and 1/2 sparkling water? Im also excited to try the tea rejuv and also the vanila soy silk! So plan to share a glass or tumbler full(as you put it.) Next time I visit…
Thanks for sharing this suggestion of drinks :-)

I wrote a blog at work a few months ago on six horrible reasons why you shouldn’t drink soda. I did really well after that about not drinking soda (or at least only drinking it on occasion), but I’ve been backsliding majorly lately! So thanks for the reminder!

I like to drink all sorts of iced tea: green tea and hibiscus tea are both good iced. I also drink sparkling flavored waters (Trader Joe’s has some good flavors) when I miss the carbonation from soda. Lately I’ve discovered iced coffee, but I’m not convinced that this is good for me as 1) I can’t handle the caffeine and 2) I can only stand it if mixed with some creamer—which I know isn’t “natural” or good for me. Maybe I should try iced coffee with your Very Vanilla soy milk instead!